JD(U) upset as rebel MLCs ‘switched’ to BJP, calls review meeting on Nov 5
JD-U questions BJP move to induct MLC in haste days after expulsion, party fo review poll performance at Nov 5 meet
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Patna — After Opposition parties seeking disqualification of the two newly-elected independent members of the Legislative Council -- Banshidhar Brajwasi and Rahul Raj -- for their reported induction into the BJP, NDA partner JD(U) has questioned the reported move and called for upholding of the "alliance dharma".
The party will have its Council poll performance review meeting on November 5 and the row over these two independents have made it an anticipated event.
The JD(U) is peeved as both the independents Banshidhar Brajwasi (Tirhut graduates' constituency) and Rahul Raj (Saran teachers' constituency) emerged victorious against JD(U) candidates Abhishek Kumar Jha and Anand Pushkar.
Raj was expelled from the BJP for six years for filing his nomination despite the seat going to the JD(U) in alliance.
Though both the MLCs as well as the BJP made a hasty retreat
Jan Suraaj peti chair to disque PATNA: Prashant Kishor-led Jan Suraaj Party on Monday petitioned the chairman of the Bihar Legislative Council seeking disqualification of two MLCs who admitted that they had joined the BJP days after getting elected as Independents.
A party delegation comprising senior leaders and former legislators Kishor Kumar Munna and Rambali Singh Chandravanshi called on Chairman Ram Bachan Rai and submitted the petition along with other docuand
made it clear that the two have not been inducted into the party and that "they have merely extended their support". However, it didn't prevent the distrust to crawl into the alliance. "The BJP expelled someone from the party for six years. So under what circumstances did they bring him back so quickly?
e C il SRY) otal SpURColall Abhishek Jha, who lost for the tions ouncl second time from Tirhut seat, is also upset with the development, ] ify | nd M LCs but he has refrained from making any statement on it and said ments. that he spoke to chief minister Later, Munna told reportSamrat Choudhary and JD(U) ers, "We have sought the disworking president Sanjay Jha on qualification of MLCs Banthe subject. sidhar Brajwasi and Rahul Bihar education minister Raj, who got elected last Mithilesh Tiwari, on the other week from Tirhut Graduhand, defended the BJP, saying if ates' and Saran Teachers' the independents wanted to join seats, respectively, and the BJP, "why should their memjoined the BJP within 72 bership of the House be affected hours." by it?". "They are coming to be Their act violated the prothe BJP because they have good visions of Article 191 of the feelings about the party. Neither Constitution, which pertains they have any issue with the to disqualification of memparty nor does the party have bers of state legislatures, he with them. So, they don't need said. PTl any 'no objection' certificate | from the Opposition. The OppoThe BJP and its top leadership __ sition leaders are free to say anyshould ponder over itand make __ thing befitting of their whims," it clear, though itis an internal he added. matter of the BJP to induct or Senior leaders of both the expel anyone. But the unity JD(U) and BJP are hesitant to defines the NDA and this trust commenton the issue. should not be dented," said state The RJD, meanwhile, have JD(U) president Umesh Kushsought the disqualification of waha, while talking to media —_ both new MLCs citing anti-defecpersons on Monday. tion law violation.
About the Author
Arun Kumar is a veteran journalist and Associate Editor with Hindustan Times, based in Patna. For more than three and a half decades, his reporting has chronicled Bihar's complex political landscape, university and educational reforms, landmark judicial rulings of the Patna High Court, administrative governance, and social shifts across the state. Known for deep investigative reporting and source-grounded accountability journalism, he is a recipient of the prestigious K.C. Kulish Journalism Award and the Keshav Bhatt Journalism Award, and is an LDM Fellow.